Collapsible tube closure



April 30, 1940. w. s. HOOPER 2,199,159

COLLAPS IBLE TUBE CLOSURE Filed Oct. :1, 193a a A 1 r. Ill 0 I I? I I g n i I 1 I l 1 I I l l i i l i l I I I .2 i z w I I l I: 55,1515! Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CLOSURE Walter Strong Hooper, Redwood City, Gall!- Application October 31, 1838, Serial No. 238,024

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible tubes having a sliding closure, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a container of this; kind which is extremely simple and durable in construction, and in which the closure is emcient in operation and convenient to manipulate.

The invention consists in the novel form, com-' bination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an elevational view of a collapsible tube provided with a sliding closure in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation showing the upper end portion of the collapsible tube illustrated in Figure l, with the closure in open posi tion. I

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the plane of line 55 of Figure 2; and

i Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the plane of line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the present collapsible tube includes an ordinary collapsible body 5, the upper portions of the walls of which so extend in substantially parallel relation to the upper end of the body, and the upper edges of which are directly connected by a thick rigid flat top wall 8. Near one end,the top wall 6 is provided with a thin narrow portion 1a adapted to be as readily struck out so as to provide a discharge opening after the tube and its contents are sold and when it is desired to discharge and use said contents.

The top wall 8 is provided-along its side edges 0 with laterally projecting guide flanges I and a sliding cover 8 is provided for the top of the collapsible tube consisting of a flat member formed of sheet material and having its side edge portions extending downwardly and inwardly as at I 9 to flt around the flanges I so as to slidably 7 connect the closure with the top of the tube. The closure plate 8 is seated flatly on the upper surface of the top wall 6, and when in the position of Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, will overlie the open- 80 ing which is formed by punching out the thin wall portion la. so as to eflectively close the tube when not in use. On the other hand, by sliding the cover 8 in one direction partly of! of the top wall t, this opening may be uncovered to permit ready ll discharge of the contents of the collapsible tube.

Sliding movement of the cover 8 in this direction is suitably limited such as by means of a depending lug Ill formed on one end of one of the downwardly and inwardly extending edges 8 of the cover and adapted to contact with a lateral lug 5 ll formed integral with one side of the top wall 6 so as to lie in the path of the lug l0. Movement of the cover in the opposite direction to closed 1 position may be suitably limited, such as by means of depending lugs l2 formed on one end of 10 the cover plate and arranged to engage the adjacent side of the tube body when the cover is shifted to fully closed position. Manipulation of the cover 8 may be effected by frictional engagement of the finger with said cover and by engage- 15 ment with the lugs II. The tube may be of any desired cross sectional shape, and the shape of the cover plate 8 and the weakened wall portion 1 may also be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will'be seen that the present construction avoids the necessity of providing the tube with converging wall portions or a neck or top of restricted size or width. At the same time, the construction is extremely simple and durable and may be conveniently and ecog nomically manufactured.

What I claim as new is:

1. A collapsible tube including a collapsible body having the upper portions of its walls flat and extending to the top of the body, in substana tially parallel relation, a thick flat top wall integral with and connecting the upper edges of said walls of the body and adapted to provide a discharge oriflce near one end thereof, laterally projecting parallel flanges integral with and extenda ing along the sides of said top wall, and a cover for said top wall formed of a single fiat sheet of material having the side edge portions thereof extending downwardly and inwardly to fit around said flanges and provide a sliding engagement of o the cover with said top wall, said cover being movable longitudinally to uncover and cover said discharge opening.

2. A collapsible tube including a collapsible body having the upper portions of its walls flat and extending to the top of the body in substantially parallel relation, a thick flat top wall connecting the upper edges of said walls of the body and adapted to provide a discharge orifice near one end thereof, laterally projecting parallel a flanges integral with and extending along the sides of said top wall, a cover for said top wall formed of a single flat sheet of material having the side edge portions thereof extending downwardly and inwardly to fit around said flanges of said cover, said movement limiting means including a depending lug at one end of one of said side edge portions oi the cover, and a laterally projecting lug on one side edge of said top wall arranged in the path of said first-named lug. a

WALTER STRONG HOOPER. 

